Biography

I am a Lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh (Politics and IR), and Co-Director of What Works Scotland –an ESRC/Scottish Government funded program to connect research, policy and practice and improve public services and policy innovation. My contribution to WWS builds on my previous research on collaborative governance and participatory policy making. I lead the WWS workstream on Community Engagement and Capacity Building, and co-lead on Partnerships and Governance.

My first funded research project (2002-2004, European Social Fund and Galician Government) was on the policy making process of public intervention against poverty and social exclusion in Galicia. Over the years I have enjoyed learning as a facilitator and analyst in various policy arenas locally, nationally and internationally.

Between 2008-2010 I worked at the Dialogue Research Project (Queen Margaret University) helping to set up QMU’s Centre for Dialogue. I am a Public Engagement Fellow of Edinburgh Beltane (UK Beacons for Public Engagement) since 2009, where I am involved in developing courses, forums and activities in the areas of dialogue and deliberation, public engagement, and policy practice.

Between 2010-2013 I was the Project Officer of the Public Policy Network, where I am still the convener of the Citizen Participation Network. I am also a trained participation practitioner (International Association for Public Participation).

I was the Project Director for the ‘Citizens' Juries about Onshore Windfarms’ research project, funded by ClimateXChange. I now lead on the Participatory Budgeting strand of What Works Scotland and I am a member of the Scottish Government PB Working Group.